Device for print finishing

ABSTRACT

A device for print finishing, in particular a folder, is disclosed. The device includes an actuator, where the actuator can be transferred with the help of at least one electric lifting magnet from a first position into a second position and/or from the second position into the first position in a sequence that is controllable in time as required. The actuator can be fixed in the first position and/or in the second position via at least one separate holding organ.

This application claims the priority of German Patent Document No. DE 102013 109 534.8, filed Sep. 2, 2013, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for print finishing.

In devices for print finishing, in particular in folders, actuators areinstalled, which can be transferred with the help of at least oneelectric lifting magnet from a first position into a second position andconversely from the second position into the first position in asequence that can be controlled in time as required. Such actuatorsknown to date are for example so-called deflection guides, with the helpof which a transport stream of printed signatures can be influenced insuch a manner that the actuator in a first position steers or directs asignature in a first direction and in a second position steers ordirects a signature into a second direction. Here, the respectiveactuating magnet on the one hand is transferred between the positionswith the help of an electric lifting magnet on the one hand and on theother hand held in the respective positions via the electric liftingmagnet. During the holding of such an actuator in a defined position viaan electric lifting magnet there is the risk that the electric liftingmagnet overheats and can be damaged in the process.

Starting out from this, the present invention is based on the object ofcreating a new type of device for print finishing.

According to the invention, the actuator can be fixed in the firstposition and/or in the second position via at least one second holdingorgan.

With the help of the present invention it is provided to use the or eachelectric lifting magnet exclusively for transferring the actuatorbetween two positions, but not to use the or each electric liftingmagnet as a holding organ in the respective position, but rather fix theactuator in the first position and/or in the second position via atleast one separate holding organ.

Since the electric lifting magnets accordingly are used exclusively fortransferring the actuator between two positions and accordingly not forholding the same in the positions, electric lifting magnets are nolonger energised for holding the actuator, so that then there is no riskthat an electric lifting magnet overheats.

Preferentially, the actuator can be fixed in the first position and inthe second position via a separate holding organ each. In particularwhen the actuator is fixed in at least one position via a holding organeach, overheating of an electric lifting magnet can be securely avoided.

According to a further advantageous further development, the actuatorcan be transferred with the help of a single electric lifting magneteither from the first position into the second position or from thesecond position into the first position, wherein an opposite transfer ofthe actuator takes place either from the second position into the firstposition or from the first position into the second position with thehelp of a spring-elastic resetting element.

The use of a single electric lifting magnet for transferring theactuator in a first displacement direction and the use of aspring-elastic resetting element for displacing the actuator in anopposite displacement direction is simple but requires the use of atleast one switchable holding organ.

According to a second, alternative advantageous further development, theactuator can be transferred from the first position into the secondposition with the help of a first electric lifting magnet, wherein theactuator can be transferred from the second position into the firstposition with the help of a second electric lifting magnet. This furtherdevelopment of the invention, which works with two electric liftingmagnets, which take over the displacement of the actuators in each casein opposite displacement directions, manages to do without switchableholding organs.

Preferred further developments of the invention are obtained from thesubclaims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of theinvention are explained in more detail with the help of the drawingwithout being restricted to this.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a detail of a device for print finishing according to anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The present invention relates to a device for print finishing, inparticular a folder. FIG. 1 shows a detail of a folder in the region ofa so-called signature switch 10, which serves for dividing a transportstream 11 of printed signatures into two part streams 12, 13.

The signature switch 10 of FIG. 1 comprises an actuator 14, which isshown in two positions in FIG. 1, namely in a first position, in which asignature of the transport stream 11 is steered or directed in a firstdirection, namely in the direction of the part stream 12, and a secondposition, in which a signature of the transport stream 11 is directed orsteered in a second direction, namely in the direction of the secondpart stream 13.

The first position of the actuator 14, in which the same directs orsteers a signature of the transport stream 11 in the direction of thefirst part stream 12, is shown in FIG. 1 in continuous line, whereas thesecond position of the actuator 14, in which the same steers or directsa signature in a second direction, namely in the direction of the secondpart stream 13, is shown in FIG. 1 in dash-dotted line.

A front portion 14 a of the actuator 14 shown in FIG. 1 forms aso-called deflecting guide of the signature switch 10.

In the shown exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the actuator 14 can betransferred from the first position into the second position andconversely from the second position into the first position in each casewith the help of an electric lifting magnet 15 and 16, respectively. InFIG. 1, the electric lifting magnet 15 takes over the displacement ofthe actuator 14 from the first position shown in continuous line in FIG.1 into the second position shown in FIG. 1 in dash-dotted line. Theelectric lifting magnet 16 takes over the displacement of the actuator14 from the second position shown in FIG. 1 in dash-dotted line into thefirst position shown in FIG. 1 in continuous line.

According to the invention, the electric lifting magnets 15, 16 areexclusively used for transferring the actuator 14 between these twopositions, the fixing of the actuator 14 in the respective position iscarried out via at least one separate holding organ, and in theembodiment of FIG. 1 via two holding organs 17, 18. In particular whenthe actuator 14 takes up the first position shown in FIG. 1 incontinuous line, the holding organ 17 fixes the actuator 14 in thisfirst position. In particular when, by contrast, the actuator 14 takesup the second position shown in FIG. 1 in dash-dotted line, the holdingorgan 18 fixes the actuator 14 in this second position.

The electric lifting magnets 15, 16 and the holding organs 17, 18 act ona rear portion 14 b of the actuator 14 shown in FIG. 1, but can also bemounted relative to a fulcrum 21 dependent on the design-based geometryof the actuator 14.

In the shown preferred exemplary embodiment, in which for bothdisplacement directions of the actuator 14, i.e., both for thedisplacement of the same starting out from the first position into thesecond position and upon the opposite displacement direction startingout from the second position into the first position, an individualelectric lifting magnet 15 and 16, respectively, is used, both theholding organs 17, 18 are preferentially designed as non-switchableholding organs, for example as permanent magnets.

Such a permanent magnet can securely hold the actuator 14 in therespective position in each case, wherein for transferring the actuator14 out of the respective position into the respective other position therespective electric lifting magnet 15 and 16 respectively thenexclusively have to overcome the holding force provided by the permanentmagnet. Such a configuration is reliable and simple.

In contrast with the permanent magnets shown in FIG. 1, mechanicalclamping elements, for example in the form of barb-like engagementelements or snap-on closures or latches can also be employed asnon-switchable holding organs, which hold the actuator 14 in therespective position. In this case, the respective electric liftingmagnet 15 and 16 respectively then has to overcome the engagement forceof such a mechanical clamping element during the transfer of theactuator 14 into the respective other position.

In contrast with the shown exemplary embodiment it is also possible thatthe actuator 14 can be transferred exclusively via a single electriclifting magnet in a single displacement direction, either from the firstposition into the second position or alternatively from the secondposition into the first position.

The opposite transfer of the actuator 14 either from the second positioninto the first position or alternatively from the first position intothe second position then preferentially takes place with the help of aspring-elastic resetting element. In both positions, the actuator 14 isthen preferentially fixed again via a separate holding organ.

In particular when the actuator 14 is displaced in a displacementdirection with the help of a spring-elastic resetting element from itsrespective starting position into the respective end position, thespecific holding organ which holds the actuator 14 in its respectivestarting position, has to be a switchable holding organ in order toenable the transfer of the actuator 14 with the help of thespring-elastic resetting element. Such a switchable holding organ canfor example be an electrically switchable electromagnet or another inparticular pneumatically and/or electrically switchable holding organ.

With respect to the use of an electromagnet as a switchable holdingorgan it is related that electromagnets, which in contrast with electriclifting magnets do not carry out any lifting movement, but ratherexclusively serve for the fixing or holding of the actuator 14 in arespective position, do not have a tendency towards overheating.Accordingly, such electromagnets can be designed to the required holdingforce and in contrast with electric lifting magnets do not carry out anyhigh-frequency lifting movements.

In addition to the actuator 14, the two electric lifting magnets 15, 16and the two holding organs 17, 18, FIG. 1 shows a deflection roller 19,on which a conveyor belt 20 is deflected, which serves for conveying thetransport stream 11 of printed signatures. The signatures of thetransport stream 11 which are divided into the part streams 12, 13 canlikewise be transported with the help of such transport belts guided ondeflection rollers.

Preferentially, at least one electric lifting magnet 15 and 16respectively is adjustable or displaceable together with the holdingorgan 17 and 18 respectively, which is positioned on the same side ofthe actuator 14 as the respective electric lifting magnet 15, 16.Because of this, at least one of the positions of the actuator 14, i.e.,the first position and/or the second position, can be changed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Signature switch

11 Transport stream

12 Part stream

13 Part stream

14 Actuator

14 a Portion

14 b Portion

15 Electric lifting magnet

16 Electric lifting magnet

17 Holding organ

18 Holding organ

19 Deflection roller

20 Belt conveyor

21 Fulcrum/bearing

The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate theinvention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of thedisclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of theinvention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention shouldbe construed to include everything within the scope of the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for print finishing, comprising: anactuator; at least one electric lifting magnet, wherein the actuator istransferable from a first position into a second position and/or fromthe second position into the first position via the at least oneelectric lifting magnet in a sequence that is controllable in time; anda holding organ, wherein the actuator is fixable in the first positionand/or in the second position via the holding organ.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the device is a folder.
 3. The deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a spring-elastic resettingelement, wherein the actuator is transferable via a single electriclifting magnet either from the first position into the second positionor from the second position into the first position and wherein anopposite transfer of the actuator either from the second position intothe first position or from the first position into the second positiontakes place via the spring-elastic resetting element.
 4. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the actuator is transferable via a firstelectric lifting magnet from the first position into the second positionand wherein the actuator is transferable via a second electric liftingmagnet from the second position into the first position.
 5. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the holding organ is a switchable holdingorgan.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the holding organ ispneumatically and/or electrically switchable.
 7. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the holding organ is an electromagnet.
 8. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the holding organ is a non-switchableholding organ.
 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the holdingorgan is a permanent magnet or a mechanical clamping element.
 10. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the actuator in the first positiondirects or steers a signature in a first direction and wherein theactuator in the second position directs a signature in a seconddirection.
 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator isa deflection guide of a signature switch.